Who could have been king of an independent Hungary post-1849?

[Alternate History]

See title - basically, let's assume the war of independence succeeds, Hungary becomes an independent kingdom and the regent Kossuth has to make sure someone becomes king. Who, at that time, would have been likely to become the monarch? This is assuming that Hungary is free to choose its own king, though this king does not have to be Hungarian - the nobles can accept a foreign king too if they see this necessary or beneficial. Any ideas?

 

[DTF955Baseballfan]

I don't know how likely it is, but i always thought it would be cool for a Stuart to be palced on the throne of Hungary (or Poland). The British might support the placement of a Stuart in a Catholic country that they could run with as powerful a monarchy as possible, so they would hve them out of their hair.

1849 might be a bit late for this, though, i don't know.

 

[The Ubbergeek]

And what if they took a non monarchist path, for a change?

 

[Shtudmuffin]

And what if they took a non monarchist path, for a change?

Yeah, I thought that the Hungarian Revolution was liberal and republican in nature? Or am I wrong?

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Yeah, I thought that the Hungarian Revolution was liberal and republican in nature? Or am I wrong?

Well, to start with they were happy to have the hapsburgs, as long as it was a purely personal union. They would also have been fine with Archduke Stephan who was pretty proHungarian. But, yes, people like Kossuth were republican, and eventually proclaimed Hungary a republic.

So theres three options only. The Austrian emperor, Archduke Stephan, or a republic. No way would they pick a foreign monarch.

 

[Alternate History]

Well, Kossuth proclaimed himself "regent-president", an ambiguous title that left both the possibility of a kingdom and that of a republic open. Hungary was never really good at establishing republics, especially since the "Kingdom of St. Stephen" was a very strong part of the national identity of Hungary in the 19th century (even while under Habsburg rule) and establishing a republic would have gone against that identity. Popular support for a republic may have been high, but there was a conservative elite who only wanted more autonomy, or independence but under a kingdom. Kossuth was a republican at heart, but he had a big reactionary interest group on his hands he had to make concessions to.

And what if they took a non monarchist path, for a change?

Then I wouldn't have made this thread.

Thanks for the help, by the way - you did help fill some gaps in my knowledge.